Animated riding toy

ABSTRACT

A riding toy having the shape of an animal, or the like, with a plurality of wheels movable over a substructure such as a floor. An elongated neck portion protrudes forwardly from a body portion of the toy and has a head on the outer end thereof. The neck is movable angularly relative to the body portion to rotate the head in a circle spaced from the body portion as the toy moves over a floor, by means of a bent rod member operatively associated with at least one of the wheels for rotation of the rod member relative to the body portion. A tubular-shaped accordian-type flexible outer sheath is non-rotatably connected to the body portion and the head portion and surrounds the rotatable rod member providing a universal type covering therefor to accommodate movement thereof while maintaining the head oriented in a generally forwardly facing disposition.

United States Patent Morrison et al.

[ June 11, 1974 1 1 ANIMATED RIDING TOY [75] Inventors: Howard J.Morrison, De'erfield;

Marvin 1. Glass, Chicago, both of 111.

[73] Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Jan. 31, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 328,314

[52] US. Cl 280/1201, 280/1208, 280/122, 46/104 [51] Int. Cl A63g 19/00[58] Field of Search 280/1201, 1.202, 1.206, 280/1203; 46/104 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,699,139 l/l929 Fuld 46/1042,152,945 4/1939 Alvistur 46/104 2,226,190 12/1940 Adams 280/2462,484,954 10/1949 Marasco 280/240 2,617,231 11/1952 Doc et al. 46/104 X2,675,643 4/1954 Ernst 46/104 2,782,556 2/1957 Otis 46/104 3,765,69310/1973 Morrison et a1. 280/1.182

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,022,266 3/1966 Great Britain 46/ 104Primary Examiner-Leo Friaglia Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Coffee andSweeney 57 ABSTRACT A riding toy having the shape of an animal, or thelike, with a plurality of wheels movable over a substructure such as afloor. An elongated neck portion protrudes forwardly from a body portionof the toy and has a head on the outer end thereof. The neck is movableangularly relative to the body portion to rotate the head in a circlespaced from the body portion as the toy moves over a floor, by means ofa bent rod mem ber operativel'y associated with at least one of thewheels for rotation of the rod member relative to the body portion. Atubular-shaped accordian-type flexible outer sheath is non-rotatablyconnected to the body portion and the head portion and surrounds therotatable rod member providing a universal type covering therefor toaccommodate movement thereof while maintaining the head oriented in agenerally forwardly facing disposition.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures NIMATED RIDING TOY BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY onTHE INVENTION A This invention relates to animated toys and particularlyto a riding toy having a body portion and an appendage portion movablerelative to the body portion in response to movement of the toy over afloor or the like.

Riding toys for children have been utilized for many years wherein thetoy resembles an animal on which the child sits while moving the toyover a substructure such as a floor or the like. In most instances,wheels are provided for the toy and the child simply uses his legs topush the toy over the floor. In some instances, pedals or other motivefacilitating means are provided. Not only are such toys entertaining forthe child, but they help to develop leg movements, particularly in achilds early years. This invention is directed to satisfying thecontinuing need for new and improved riding toys of the characterdescribed.

An object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved animated toy, and particularly an animated riding toy which hasrelatively movable appendage means to stimulate the child in utilizingthe toy.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a generally hollow rigidbody portion is provided on which a child may sit for riding purposes.Four wheels are joumalled on the body portion for moving the same I overa substructure such as a floor or the like. A handle is provided whichmay be grasped by a child for stabilization purposes. The toyincorporates unique appendage means protruding outwardly from the bodyportion and movable relative thereto in response to rotation of thewheels asthe toy moves over the floor.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable appendagemeans is formed by a rod-like member protruding outwardly from the bodyportion and operatively connected by a drive shaft to at least one ofthe wheels for rotation of the rod member relative to the body portionas the wheel turns. The rod member has inner and outer generallyparallel but offset straight end portions connected by an obliqueintermediate portion. The rod pivots about the axis of the straightinner end portion whereby the oblique portion rotates in a generallyconical path causing the outer straight end portion to move in agenerally cylindrical or circular path. The outer end portion of the rodis joumalled in the head portion of the toy. A generally tubular-shapedaccordion-type outer sheath is positioned about the rod member providinga universal type covering therefor to accommodate the aforesaid movementthereof. The sheath-is non-rotatably secured at its inner end to thebody portion and is connected at its outer end to the head portion forthe toy, whereby the sheath represents the neck of a simulated animal.In this manner, the rod member rotates within the sheath while thesheath mains the head portion of the toy oriented in a forwardly facingdisposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the animatedriding toy of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front to rear vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of thetoy shown in FIG. 1, with the neck and head portion thereof shown inphantom in an alternate position of movement;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is an'inclined section taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG.2; and

FIG. 5 is an inclined section taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG.2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The animated riding toy of thepresent invention, generally designated in FIG. 1, includes a bodyportion 12 on which a child may sit for moving the toy over asubstructure such as a floor or the like. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3,the body portion 12 is formed of a generally hollow rigid shell withinwhich is mounted certain of the operative components of the toy. A pairof front wheels 14 and a pair of rear wheels 16 are connected to a pairof shafts 18 and 20, respectively, which are joumalled in shell-likebosses 22 on the underside of the body portion 12. The rear wheels 16are connected through the shaft and appropriate linkage, describedhereinafter, to movable appendage means, also described hereinafter.

A rod-like handle 24 extends across the top front of the body portion 12for grasping by a child for stabilization purposes. The handle 24 isformed integrally with an annular band 26 which has a simulated bow-tie28 formed in front of the body portion 12. The band is secured to thebody portion by means of bolts or screws 30 (FIG. 5). l

A movable appendage means, generally designated 32, is mounted on thefront of the body portion 12 for movement relative to the body portionin response to rotation of the rear wheels 16. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2,in the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the toy is shaped toresemble a duck, goose, or the like, and the movable appendage means 32comprises the neck and head portions of the simulated animal.

More particularly, the movable appendage means 32 includes a rigidrod-like member, generally designated 34 (FIG. 2), which has a straightinner end portion 34a, a straight outer end portion 34b which is offsetbut parallel to the inner end portion 34a, and an oblique intermediateportion 34c which connects the end portions 34a, 34b and extendsangularly relative thereto. The inner end portion 34a of the rod 34 issecured to a boss 36 which is joumalled within an aperture 38 of aninterior brace portion 40 of the body portion 12. The boss 36 has abevel gear portion 42 which is in mesh with a gear member 44 on thefront end of a drive shaft member 46. The drive shaft member isjoumalled in apertures 48 formed in a pair of interior brace plates 50of the body portion 12. A bevel gear 52 is connected to the rear end ofthe drive shaft member 46 and is in mesh with another bevel gear member54 fixed for rogears, about the longitudinal axis of the straight innerend portion 34a of the rod member.

A head portion 56 is provided for the toy and is journalled by means ofa cup-shaped bracket, generally designated 57, to the straight front end34b of the rod member 34. The front end 34b of the rod extends throughan aperture 58 in the bracket 57 for rotation relative thereto. Thebracket is held in position on the front end 34b of the rod by means ofa washer 60 I which, in turn, bears against stamped out tabs 62 on thesides of the rod. Bolts or screws 64 (FIG. 4) secure the head 56 to thebracket 57.

Thus, it can be seen that rotation of the rod member 34 about the axisof its inner end portion 34a will cause the intermediate portion 34cthereof to rotate in a generally conical path causing the outer endportion 34b of the rod to rotate in a cylindrical or circular pathmoving the head portion 56 of the toy therewith.

In order to accommodate the aforesaid movement of the head portion 56and rod 34, as well as maintain the head-portion 56 in a forwardlyfacing orientation regardless of the angular position of the head, atubularshaped accordion-type flexible outer sheath 66 is providedsurrounding the rod 34 thereby providing a universal type covering forthe rod. The sheath is nonrotatably secured at its inner end to thefront of the body portion 12 by the bolts or screws 30 (FIG. The outerend of the sheath 66 is non-rotatably secured to the head 56 and bracket57 by the bolt or screws 64 as shown in FIG. 4. I

Of course, it is within the contemplation of this invention that thenovel movement of the appendage means caused by rotation of the rod 34,as well as the affect and orienting capabilities of the sheath 66 may beused for appendages other than a neck and head for the riding toy.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only and no unnecessary limitations should beunderstoodtherefrom as some modifications will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art.

We claim:

comprising: a body portion sufficiently large to accommodate a rider andincluding a seat area on top of the body portion, an elongated appendagemovable angularly relative to said body portion, said appendableincluding an elongated frame piece mounted on the body portion forangular and rotatable movement relative thereto and generallytubular-shaped flexible outer sheath positioned about the frame pieceproviding a universal type covering therefor to accomodate said movementthereof, said sheath defining the neck for the animal and including ahead portion on the outer end of the frame piece, said sheath beingnon-rotatably connected at its inner end to said body portion and at itsouter end to said head portion with said head portion journaled on theouter end of said frame piece whereby the head portion remains in afixed orientation relative to the body portion notwithstanding rotationand angular movement of said frame piece, said frame I piece formed by arod-like member having a generally straight inner end portion protrudingoutwardly from said body portion and rotatable about its longitudinalaxis relative to the body portion, and an angular portion oblique tosaid inner end portion and rotatable therewith, said angular portion ofsaid rod-like member being generally straight'and rotatable in agenerallyconical path, said body portion having wheel means rotatablymounted thereon for movement over a substructure, such as a floor or thelike, said wheel means operatively associated with said frame piece formoving same in response to rotational movement of the wheel means.

-2. An animated riding toy, comprising: a body portion having wheelmeans rotatably mounted thereon for movement thereof over asubstructure, such as a floor or the like, said body portion beingsufficiently large to accomodate a rider, and including a seat area ontop of the body portion, an elongated appendage movableangularlyrelative to said body portion, said appendage including anelongated frame piece mounted on the body portion for angular androtatable movement relative thereto and a generally tubular-shapedflexible outer sheath positioned about the frame piece providing auniversal type covering therefor to accomodate said movement thereof,said wheel means being operatively associated with said frame piece formoving same in response to rotation of the wheel means.

3. The animatedtoy of claim 2 wherein said sheath .tion having wheeledmeans rotatably mounted thereon for movement thereof over asubstructure, such as a floor or the like, said body portion beingsufficiently large to accomodate a rider, an appendage movable relativeto said body portion, said appendage including an elongated frame piecerotatably mounted on said body portion for movement relative theretoabout an axis extending outwardly of the body portion, said frame pieceincluding a portion disposed at an angle to said axis whereby an outerend of said angularly disposed portion moves in an orbital path aboutsaid axis in response to rotation of the frame piece, and meansoperatively connecting said frame-piece to said wheel means for rotatingsaid frame-piece in response to rotation of the Wheel means.

5. The animated toy of claim 4 including a generally tubular-shapedflexible outer sheath positioned about the frame-piece providing auniversal type covering therefor to accomodate said movement thereof,said sheath defining the neck of an animal and including a head portionon the outer end of the frame-piece, said sheath being non-rotatablyconnected at its inner end to said body portion and at its outer end tosaid head portion with said head portion journaled on the outer end ofsaid frame-piece whereby the head portion remains in a fixed orientationrelative to the body portion notwithstanding rotation and angularmovement of said frame-piece.

1. An animated riding toy resembling an animal, comprising: a bodyportion sufficiently large to accommodate a rider and including a seatarea on top of the body portion, an elongated appendage movableangularly relative to said body portion, said appendable including anelongated frame piece mounted on the body portion for angular androtatable movement relative thereto and generally tubular-shapedflexible outer sheath positioned about the frame piece providing auniversal type covering therefor to accomodate said movement thereof,said sheath defining the neck for the animal and including a headportion on the outer end of the frame piece, said sheath beingnon-rotatably connected at its inner end to said body portion and at itsouter end to said head portion with said head portion journaled on theouter end of said frame piece whereby the head portion remains in afixed orientation relative to the body portion notwithstanding rotationand angular movement of said frame piece, said frame piece formed by arod-like member having a generally straight inner end portion protrudingoutwardly from said body portion and rotatable about its longitudinalaxis relative to the body portion, and an angular portion oblique tosaid inner end portion and rotatable therewith, said angular portion ofsaid rod-like member being generally straight and rotatable in agenerally conical path, said body portion having wheel means rotatablymounted thereon for movement over a substructure, such as a floor or thelike, said wheel means operatively associated with said frame piece formoving same in response to rotational movement of the wheel means.
 2. Ananimated riding toy, comprising: a body portion having wheel meansrotatably mounted thereon for movement thereof over a substructure, suchas a floor or the like, said body portion being sufficiently large toaccomodate a rider, and including a seat area on top of the bodyportion, an elOngated appendage movable angularly relative to said bodyportion, said appendage including an elongated frame piece mounted onthe body portion for angular and rotatable movement relative thereto anda generally tubular-shaped flexible outer sheath positioned about theframe piece providing a universal type covering therefor to accomodatesaid movement thereof, said wheel means being operatively associatedwith said frame piece for moving same in response to rotation of thewheel means.
 3. The animated toy of claim 18 wherein said sheath definesthe neck of an animal and includes a head portion on the outer end ofthe frame piece, said sheath being non-rotatably connected at its innerend to said body portion and at its outer end to said head portion withsaid head portion journaled on the outer end of said frame piece wherebythe head portion remains in a fixed orientation relative to the bodyportion notwithstanding rotation and angular movement of said framepiece.
 4. An animated riding toy, comprising: a body portion havingwheeled means rotatably mounted thereon for movement thereof over asubstructure, such as a floor or the like, said body portion beingsufficiently large to accomodate a rider, an appendage movable relativeto said body portion, said appendage including an elongated frame piecerotatably mounted on said body portion for movement relative theretoabout an axis extending outwardly of the body portion, said frame pieceincluding a portion disposed at an angle to said axis whereby an outerend of said angularly disposed portion moves in an orbital path aboutsaid axis in response to rotation of the frame piece, and meansoperatively connecting said frame-piece to said wheel means for rotatingsaid frame-piece in response to rotation of the wheel means.
 5. Theanimated toy of claim 20 including a generally tubular-shaped flexibleouter sheath positioned about the frame-piece providing a universal typecovering therefor to accomodate said movement thereof, said sheathdefining the neck of an animal and including a head portion on the outerend of the frame-piece, said sheath being non-rotatably connected at itsinner end to said body portion and at its outer end to said head portionwith said head portion journaled on the outer end of said frame-piecewhereby the head portion remains in a fixed orientation relative to thebody portion notwithstanding rotation and angular movement of saidframe-piece.